Hectic Parliamentary diplomacy was seen at its full swing on the second day of the 152nd Inter Parliamentary Assembly, currently being held Istanbul, Turkiye, as Pakistan’s parliamentary delegation, led by Speaker Sardar Ayaz Sadiq, met numerous heads of Parliaments from around the world.
The Federal Minister of Law and Justice, Senator Azam Nazeer Tarar, was also a member of Pakistan’s Parliamentary delegation.
The Chairperson of the Russian Duma, Madam Valentina Matviyenko, Azerbaijan’s Speaker Madam Sahiba Gafarova, Chairperson of the National Assembly of Nepal, Narayan Prasad Dahal, Head of the Chinese Parliamentary Delegation, Tian Xuejun, Speaker of the Maldives, Mr Abdul Raheem Abdulla and the Chairperson of the Senate of Uzbekistan, Madam Tanzila Norbaeva, were among many of those who called on Sradar Ayaz Sadiq.
The Chairperson of Duma, Madam Mativiyenko, and the Leader of the Chinese Delegation, Xuejen, lauded the Pakistani peace efforts and assured their respective countries’ support to Islamabad’s role in bringing the warring sides of Iran and the US to the negotiating table.
China was proud of its time-tested friendship with Pakistan, which had always shown resilience and commitment to global peace and order, observed Mr Xuejen, the head of the Chinese Delegation.
Ayaz Sadiq thanked China for its continued support despite changes in governments and world realities during the last eight decades. He said Pakistan and China were iron brothers, which were working for a better world together.
Speaker of the Maldives Mr. Abdul Raheem, informed Speaker Ayaz Sadiq the adverse effects of the Gulf War on the Maldivian economy. He regretted that thousands of pre-booked tourists had cancelled their travel and vacations to Maldives, costing the fragile economy of the tiny Indian Ocean island State.
Sardar Ayaz Sadiq assured every help to the Maldives and hoped that with the resolution of the current crisis in the Middle East, the situation would soon revert to normalcy.
The Speaker of the Milli Majlis of Azerbaijan, Madam Sahiba Gafarova and Speaker Sardar Ayaz Sadiq took note of the close bonds of friendship between their respective countries and vowed to continue supporting each other on all regional and international forums. Madam Sahiba Gafarova has announced her candidature for the Presidency of the Inter Parliamentary Union, and the election is due to be held in this regard at the next IPU Assembly, being held in Tanzania in October 2026.
Ayaz Sadiq informed his Azari counterpart that since Oman’s Chairman was also in the running, he was already in contact with the latter in order to bring a joint consensus candidate from the Muslim bloc. He said that the Chairman of Oman’s Council had accepted Pakistan’s proposal with an open heart, and he was highly hopeful of succeeding in this regard.
The Speaker of Azerbaijan thanked Speaker Ayaz Sadiq for his efforts and termed him a brother she could always rely upon.
In their meeting, Ayaz Sadiq and Chairperson Madam Tanzila Norbaeva of Uzbekistan noted the historical ties between the two countries and the close similarity of cultures, language and history between them. The Uzbek Chairperson informed Speaker Ayaz Sadiq about the establishment of Islamic centres in Samarqand and Bokhara and invited Speaker Sardar Ayaz Sadiq to visit Uzbekistan. Speaker Ayaz Sadiq thanked his Uzbek counterpart and reciprocated the gesture by inviting her to visit Pakistan.
In view of the austerity drive, a small contingent of Members of both houses of Pakistan’s parliament is participating in the Conference, and the costs of the visit are being borne by each member individually. The delegation includes, besides Speaker Ayaz Sadiq and Law Minister Senator Azam Tarar, Senator Talha Mehmood, Senator Amir Waliuddin Chishti, Dr. Sharmila Farouqi MNA, Mr. Asad Alam Niazi MNA and Mr. Farhan Chishti MNA.
